Lakeland FL vs Reno NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 74.1% | 63.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 3.2% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.5% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $570,934 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 49.4% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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